SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9v1.2FT Block 5 rocket from Cape Canaveral, USA at 1835 GMT on 25 May 2022. Transporter-5 is the fifth “Transporter” rideshare mission from SpaceX. The reusable B1061 first stage, on its eighth flight, successfully landed back to Earth at Cape Canaveral’s Landing Zone 1.
Falcon 9 on the Transporter 5 mission flashes a cloud of vapour as it transits the speed of sound. Courtesy: Twitter/Elon Musk
The rocket’s 59 satellite payload included the ION-SCV 6 (Thrilling Thomas) satellite delivery spacecraft which is designed to carry small satellites to certain specific orbits before they are deployed. The similar Vigoride (VR-3) and Sherpa-AC 1 delivery spacecraft were also on the flight. A full listing of the other satellites are in the Seradata SpaceTrak database.
Jonathan Freeman contributed to this story.
